A human study conducted by Biofortis, a global contract research organization, suggests that the use of a patent-pending spearmint extract containing phenolic complex K110-42 may help improve cognitive health and cognitive performance in older adults.

The study results were presented in a poster session, sponsored by the American Society for Nutrition, at Experimental Biology from April 26 to 30, 2014 in San Diego, US.

The study assessed both the tolerability of Kemin Industries’ proprietary ingredient as well as its effects on cognition.

Tolerance was assessed by evaluation of gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability, adverse events, and clinical laboratory tests at baseline and end of treatment.

Acute and chronic cognitive effects were evaluated using validated computerized testing models at multiple time points.

After 30 days of supplementation, Biofortis researchers found that subjects saw improvements in subjective memory scores and in computer cognitive tests designed to measure reasoning, attention, and planning.

The researchers also saw acute benefits on the first day of supplementation where there was statistically significant improvement in attention, concentration and planning scores at two and four hours post-dose, compared to pre-dose.

Subjects did not report any GI issues or adverse events related to the product.

“These findings are promising in that they suggest our patent-pending ingredient may help to improve memory, and offer immediate as well as longer-term benefits for cognitive performance,” said Linda Fullmer, senior VP of sales and marketing for the human nutrition and health division of Kemin.